Closure having a self-sealing orifice for collapsible tubes



W. E. OPPER May 16, 1933.

CLOSURE HAVING A SELF SEALING ORIFICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Nov. 20, 1951 //V VE/VTOR Patented May 16, 1933 anai-r WALTER E. OPPEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CLOSURE HAVING A SELF-SEALING ORIIEICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Application filed November 20, 1931. Serial No. 576,236.

The present invention relates to a self-sealing orifice for collapsible tubes, and has to do more particularly with an orifice construction which is self-closing, thus eliminating the need for a cap.

Collapsible tubes such as are at the present time used for tooth paste, shaving cream and the like are provided with caps which have to be removed for use, and oftentimes these caps are lost or become dirty from falling to the floor, thus necessitating cleaning and causing inconvenience and annoyance.

The present invention relates to a self-sealing orifice which is applied to the tube at the time it is manufactured and which is operated by pressure applied to the tube in the usual manner. Creation of suficient pressure within the tube causes ejection of the con tents, and when the pressure is relieved the orifice automatically closes, thus affording a clean and sanitary closure for the tube, and at the same time eliminating the annoyance attendant on the present cap style of tube.

An object of the present invention is to provide an orifice construction for collapsible tubes which is self-sealing, thus eliminating the need for a removable cap and which orifice construction allows ready discharge of the tube contents as required.

Another oject of the invention is to provide a self-sealing orifice tor collapsible tubes which eliminates the need for the present day removable cap.

A still further object of the'invention is to provide an orifice tor collapsible tubes which is self-sealing and yet readily adaptable for discharge purposes and which is sanitary and at the same time effectively seals the tube when not in use.

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawing and appended claims.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a frag-- mental portion of a collapsible tube having applied thereto a selfisealing orifice embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a collapsible tube partially emptied and showing a ribbon of the contents discharging through the orifice of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional View taken substantially in the plane of line IHHT of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the discharge orifice of the present invention taken substantially in the plane of line TV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragment-a1 transverse sectional view showing the opening or orifice expanded to allow discharge of the tube contents in use.

The drawing will now be explained.

A collapsible tube 1 of usual construction is provided with a head 2- having as a part thereof a neck 3.

Surrounding the neck 3 and applied thereto is ametallic sleeve 4 which on one side thereof has an aperture 5. The upper end of the sleeve or cap 4 is closed. Within the cap or sleeve l is a sleeve 6 of resilient material, preferably of rub er composition, and having formed in a side thereof a slit 7. The slit 7 preferably lengthwise of the cap i. A portion of the sleeve 6, because of its resilient characteristics will tend to bulge outwardly through the opening 5 in the cap 4 and thus when the orifice is closed will have the appearance shown in Figures 1, 3 and 41-.

Figure 3 shows the orifice 7 as having the inner margins thereof in contact and the outer margins slightly spaced. The amount of spacing of the outer margins will depend on the resiliency of the material of which the inner sleeve 6 is made. The resiliency of this inner sleeve is such, however as to close the inner margins of the orifice and thus seal the orifice against accidental discharge or against leakage.

Wfhen it is desired to use the contents of the tube, pressure is applied to the same near the bottom thereof which pressure will then force the contents upwardly into the upper end of the cap 4 and when the part of the cap has been filled above the orifice 7 in such a manner as to allow the entrance of no more of the tube contents, then continued pressure Will discharge some of the contents outwardly through the slit 7 in tape form as shown in Figures 2 and 5. As long as pressure is applied to the tube the contents will be dis- 5 charged as above stated. Whenever pressure is released or relieved, outward flow through the orifice 7 Will cease and the resiliency of the material forming the orifice will cause the same to close and remain closed until the 10 tube is again used.

The length of the inner sleeve 6 is such that When the cap 4: is applied to the neck 3 of the tube the sleeve 6 Will be endWise compressed a slight amount to assure the formation'ot' the bulge through the opening 5 in the outer cap 4.

The provision of the orifice 7 in the side of the cap prevents accidental discharge of the tube contents ai ter pressure has been relieved as the tendency of the pressure Within the tube is to move the same endvvise through the neck 3 and thus towards the closed end of the cap 4-. l i ere the orifice in the upper end of the cap then there might be some tendency for leakage after release of the pressure against the tube but tl e provision of the orifice in the side prevents such accidental discharge.

The invention is claimed as follows:

3% l. A closure having a self sealing orifice for collapsible tubes including in combination, a metallic cap applied to a tube end, a sleeve of resilient material Within said cap, said cap having an aperture in the side thereof, said resilient sleeve having a portion thereof bulged outwardly through the opening of said cap, said bulged portion being slotted and comprising the discharge orifice, the resiliency of said member being such as to nor- 40 mally maintain the orifice closed in the absence oi pressure against the tube, the bulging of said member through the opening in the cap serving to aid in maintaining the orilice in closed position.

2. A closure having a self sealing orifice tor collapsible tubes including in combination, a metallic cap applied to a tube end, said cap having an opening therein, a rubber sleeve Within said cap having a portion thereof bridging the opening in said cap, the bridging portion of said sleeve being slotted to provide an outlet for the tube contents, said rubber sleeve being applied With endvvise pressure to bulge that portion of the sleeve bridging the opening in the cap, the bulging effect of the sleeve normally maintaining the orifice closed and opposing opening thereof by pressure applied to the tube contents.

In testimony whereof T have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook county,

Illinois.

WALTER E. UPPER. 

